Short, humorous stories about people in politics, history, and the arts.

Benjamin Disraeli(1804–81)

Anecdote 1...

A young lady was taken to dinner one evening by Gladstone and the following
evening by Disraeli. Asked what impressions these two celebrated men had
made upon her, she replied, "When I left the dining room after sitting
next to Mr. Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England.
But after sitting next to Mr. Disraeli, I thought I was
the cleverest woman in England."

Anecdote 2...

When asked about his motives for writing novels, Disraeli explained
that every so often he was overcome by the urge to read a novel, and in
order to have one at hand he would write it himself.

1st Earl of Beaconsfield, British Conservative statesman and prime minister (1868, 1874-80). Of Italian-Jewish descent, Disraeli became a Christian
at the age of thirteen, a member of Parliament at thirty-three, and prime
minister at sixty-four. A flamboyant personality and a staunch supporter
of the monarchy, the Empire, and the Church, he won the respect of
the nation and the queen (Victoria). Before attaining political power,
he wrote a number of novels. Disraeli's
main political rival was William Gladstone, four-times Liberal prime minister,
renowned for his abilities as an orator.